Paris Peace Forum 2026 | 10-11 Nov.
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Unanimously elected by the Executive Committee, the diplomat Franck Paris will succeed to Justin Vaïsse as Director General of the Paris Peace Forum. Justin Vaïsse, the Forum’s Founder, its first President, and then Director General since 2019, is returning to academia while serving as Chair of the Forum’s new Endowment Fund, with the mission of ensuring the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.
Franck Paris’ Biography
A career diplomat, Franck Paris has spent more than two decades holding positions at the intersection of diplomacy, security, and international cooperation. During his career, he served notably as political advisor at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union in Brussels, before becoming advisor to the Minister of Defense for Europe and Africa. From 2017 to 2023, he served as advisor to the President of the Republic on Africa, helping to shape a renewed approach to France’s relationship with the African continent and its international partnerships. Since the summer of 2023, he has been Director of the French Office in Taipei.
Philippe Etienne, President of the Forum’s Executive Board, delared: “The experience Franck has gained throughout his career on issues central to the Forum—the European Union, Africa, Asia, and technological and AI challenges, in particular—makes him the ideal Director General to strengthen our existing initiatives and build new ones, including new multi-stakeholder coalitions to address current crises.”
“The principles that have guided the Forum since its inception—multi-stakeholder cooperation, North-South dialogue, the promotion of civil society and the role of the private sector, a focus on impact, and the organization’s independence—will be at the heart of my commitment,” said Franck Paris. “I am delighted to take the helm of this wonderful team, which is entirely dedicated to building new bonds of solidarity and advancing peace in the face of the major upheavals of our time.”
Towards the 9th edition of the Paris Peace Forum
Under the leadership of Franck Paris and the presidency of French Ambassador Philippe Etienne, the 9th edition of the Paris Peace Forum will be held on November 10 and 11 at the Palais de Chaillot, on the theme “From Sovereignty to Cooperation”. This year’s event will feature sessions related to France’s G7 presidency, including a Child Summit that will bring together heads of state and international stakeholders from around the world.
